Charlotte Bobcats center Alexis Ajinca was assigned to the Maine Red Claws, the Bobcats? NBA Development League affiliate, it was announced today.  The assignment is the fifth of the NBA D-League season, the second for Maine, and the second for Ajinca in as many years, who was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce last season.  

Ajinca, 7-0, has appeared in six games for the Bobcats this season, averaging 1.7 points and 5.0 minutes.  Last season, Ajinca appeared in 31 games for Charlotte, averaging 2.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 5.9 minutes before being assigned to Sioux Falls on March 9, 2009 for the remainder of the season.

The Albuquerque Thunderbirds selected Carlos Powell, a 6-7 small forward from South Carolina, with the first overall selection in the 2009 NBA Development League Draft.  

The Tulsa 66ers selected Latavious Williams, a 6-8 forward, the first-ever player selected in the NBA D-League Draft directly from high school with the last pick in the first round.  

With the second pick, the Erie BayHawks drafted Donell Taylor, a 6-6 small forward from Alabama-Birmingham, while the Los Angeles D-Fenders selected Deron Washington with the third overall selection.  

Other notable first round selections include former NBA players Desmon Farmer, a 6-5 guard from USC, JamesOn Curry from Oklahoma State, originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 2007 NBA Draft, and French international standout Amara Sy, a 6-8 forward, who was selected by the Bakersfield Jam with the fourth overall selection.